September 09, 2018 (Lenzerheide, SUI) – Canada’s Emily Batty took home the bronze medal in the Elite women’s cross-country at the 2018 MTB World Championships on Saturday in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Fellow Canuck, Haley Smith, raced to a stellar 6th-place finish putting two Canucks in the top ten as American Kate Courtney took the win in her first year as an Elite rider.

In the Elite men’s race Leandre Bouchard was the top Canadian in 26th place as Switzerland’s Nino Schurter won his 4th rainbow jersey in front of a mssive home crowd. It was a record 7th title for the Swiss star.

Women’s Race

The women’s 29.4 km race featured a Start loop + 6 laps and began with an attack by 2016 world champion Annika Langvad of Denmark, who opened a gap on Courtney and Batty. However, Courtney dropped Batty on the fourth lap and then caught Langvad on the final lap. The American was on fire and won her first Elite title by 47 seconds. Batty hung on for third behind a fast-closing Jolanda Neff of Switzerland.

“I’m so proud,” said Batty. “When I was racing, I knew that there was no way I was going to walk away without a medal. I found my limit; I’ve never gone as hard as today. That was my goal: to turn myself inside out, and leave it all out there. We [Batty and Courtney] did get a good gap from behind early in the race, and I just tried to hold that. I feel like I’m just starting to grow into my potential.”

Smith had the ride of her life moving up into 12th by the third lap and was tenth a lap later. By Lap 5 she was into sixth, and on the seventh and final lap moved past Maja Wloszczowska of Poland into fifth, before crashing and losing a spot. Her career-best 6th eclipsed her recent best-ever 8th at the Mont-Sainte-Anne MTB World Cup.

“It was definitely a great day – bordering on perfect. I was happy when I crossed the line, and definitely satisfied. You never know how your legs are going to be until the race is underway, and so much can happen in a race that getting to the finish line with a successful performance is a really fulfilling feeling,” shared Smith.

“I actually had moved into 5th on the penultimate lap and had a small gap behind me until I crashed and moved back into sixth. But I wasn’t really focused on a specific position – I was more thinking about continuing to charge forward and see how far up the field I could climb. The course was in great shape. My goal coming into Worlds was to have a performance that I could be proud of. I didn’t know what that was going to look like in terms of placing, but I suppose I realistically thought that a top 15 would be a very good day,” she added.

Catharine Pendrel, starting back on the fourth row, had a strong start and was in the top ten by the second lap. She was joined by Smith on Lap 4, who passed her, but Pendrel was still in good shape for a top ten until a lap and a half to go, when she suffered a flat tire. Pendrel is still coming back from a mid-season broken arm.

“I was happy with my race and how I was able to move up to 8th from a 4th row start. I had just passed Gunn Rita when I noticed my tire had lost air. I was not far from the tech zone luckily and had a pretty quick change to get back in, but I lost my forward Rhythm and as a result several more positions,” Pendrel told Pedal. “The course was great. It was in perfect condition today and really engaging. Haley was amazing! We got to ride together for a couple laps and she was riding so well. Definitely a sign of more top results to come.”

In other Canadian results, Sandra Walter finished 21st, after riding in the top-20 for most of the race, Cindy Montambault was 31st, Elyse Nieuwold was 38th, and Catherine Fleury was 42nd.

Dan Proulx, National Mountain Bike Coach, said, “I’m very pleased with the Team’s performances this week. Our goal is to create an environment where champions are inevitable and each year we’re moving closer to that. Without a doubt the ride of the week was Emily’s Bronze medal. Her ride capped an amazing season – her best so far. I know she’ll be hungrier than ever to win this one next year.”

“Haley Smith deserves a huge congrats on her sixth place ride. Two years ago, her best finish in Elite was 42nd. She’s come through the ranks quickly and consistently – starting 2018 with a Bronze at Commonwealth Games. Her work ethic and determination are incredible and I’m confident that this is just a stepping stone to future success.”

Men’s Race

Schurter was the clear favourite in the Elite Men’s 33.6 km race that included a Start loop + 7 laps. Living only 20 min away from Lenzerheide and with the massive home crowd behind him he attacked on the opening lap. Only Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Italy) could match his pace as the two battled for the entire race.

Behind Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands looked like he might join the leaders after he recovered from a slow start but the leaders were wary and the Dutchman, who dropped the other chasers as he tried to bridge, ended up settling for third.

Near the end of the penultimate lap Schurter attacked and gapped his rival by 6s and never looked back. Kerschbaumer could not respond, and the fans erupted as Schurter rolled across the finish line with an 11-second margin to the cheers of thousands of Swiss fans.

“This is a special win with so many people cheering which helped push me as the Team Relay was still affecting me a bit. I was planning to attack near the end and then it looked like Kerschbaumer was struggling so the timing seemed right. it. It was a great feeling to hear the cheering at the finish line,” said Schurter.

Bouchard was happy with his result. “My goal was for a top 30 so it’s great to achieve it. I really happy to finish the season with my best peroformance of the year. I got some ups and downs this year so to prove myself that I was capable of that kind of performance is pretty sweet,” he told Pedal.

“The course and up being realy dry so we got grip and speed. It still was a really bumpy track. I was super smooth technicaly. When riding in a pack, I stayed calm and really see my line energy saver compare to other stiff rider. Keeping the momentum was important. My mountain bike season is over now. I go back home and enjoy the fall with cycling/outdoor/running activities. I also have my last intership in teaching physical education so that will keep me busy and I’m exited for this different challenge. That was sweet to be with the national team (as ususaly with my pro team), the vibe, staff and athletes are amazing.”

Results here.